N = necessary, O = optional, O-R = optional & recommended

Miscellaneous documents and other items:
N       Plane tickets
N       Passport & xerox copy of same
N       Collecting permits
O       NYBG ID card (helps at plant inspection station)
O       Extra passport photos
O-R   Immunization card & copy of same
N       Insurance information (health & travel)
N       Name, address & phone # of person to be contacted in case of emergency (give to leader)
N       Cash (dollars & local currency)
O-R   Credit card
O       Calculator
O-R   Pocket dictionary or phrase book for local language


Packing equipment:
N       Backpack
N       Daypack or fanny pack
O       Rain cover for pack
N       Duffle bag
N       Tags for luggage
N       Small padlock and key for each pack/duffle


Sleeping and "housekeeping" supplies:
N       Hammock
N       2 long, strong ropes for hammock (about 8-10' each)
N       Mosquito net for hammock
O       Twine for clothes line & for hanging mosquito nets (we have)
N       Light weight sleeping bag, sleep sack, or blanket
O-R   Small pillow and pillow case
N       Stuff sacks for above items
O-R   Mesh, drawstring bags to hang from hooks for clothing, etc.
O-R   Mesh "gear hammocks"
O       Travel alarm clock
N       Headlamp w/ extra bulbs and batteries

Field equipment:
N       Field press, newspaper (we have)
N       Notebook(s) (some come with waterproof pages)
N       Pens & pencils w/ erasers (mechanical pencils recommended)
O-R   Penknife or "Leatherman" tool
O       Machete & sheath (we have a few there)
O-R   Hand lens (10x recommended)
O       Plastic bottles & alcohol for "pickling" flowers, etc. (we have)
O       Permanent felt-tip markers
N       Whistle
O-R   Compass
O       Flagging (we have)
N       Watch (preferably with alarm)
O       Folding umbrella &/or poncho or rain jacket
O       Clippers (pruners) and belt sheath
N       Large canteen or water bottles (2 one quart bottles recommended)
O-R   Hat for rain and/or sun
O-R   Binoculars
N       Flashlight with extra bulbs and batteries
O       Photo vest


Personal toiletries:
N       Skin soap & soap box or liquid biodegradable soap (or "soap on a rope")
N       Shampoo
N       Toothbrush & toothpaste
N       Comb &/or brush
O       Deodorant
O-R   Foot powder
Etc.

First aid kit:
N       Any prescription drugs that you may need
N       Favorite remedies for headache, fever, upset stomach, etc.
N       Antibiotic cream or liquid
N       Bandaids, etc.
N       Mole foam or mole skin
N       Scissors & tweezers (for ticks)
N       Antihistamine tablets (& epi-pens if you are allergic to insect stings)
O       Pre-moistened towelettes
O       Eye drops, mirror, & Q-tips for insects in eyes
O       Alcohol swabs
O       Insect repellent
O       Cortisone cream (for itching)
O       Emergency water purification tablets
O       Ace bandage
O       Sulfur powder (to deter ticks & chiggers; available at some pharmacies

     We have a good supply of first aid supplies and over-the-counter remedies; it is not necessary to carry a drug store with you, but it is wise to have things that you know you will need and a small basic first aid kit to be carried with you each day.

Miscellaneous:
N       Laundry soap
O-R   Scrub brush (we have)
N       Clothes pins (we have some extras that others have left behind)
O-R   Ziplock baggies of different sizes
O-R   A few large, plastic bags for sitting on along trail
O       Twist ties
O       Bungee cords for attaching things to pack
O       Something to read in the evenings
O       Writing paper, envelopes, addresses (you'll be home long before your letters arrive)
O       Headnet
N       Towel(s) - thinner ones dry faster
N       Glasses or contacts if you wear them and/or sunglasses (bring an extra pair of prescription glasses) - electricity can't be relied on for sterilizing contacts; bring liquid
O       Emergency tissues (toilet paper is supplied)
O       Trail snacks or treats if desired (don't burden yourself with carrying much snack food; we are fed very well)


Clothing:
N       Field pants (2 pairs - light, strong, w/ pockets)
N       Light weight, long-sleeved shirts (2-3)
N       Tee shirts (2-3)
N       Shorts (1-2 pairs)
N       Underwear (3-4 pairs)
N       Sox (4-5 pairs)
N       Boots w/ good lug soles (canvas uppers dry quickly; be sure that they are well broken-in)
O       Inner soles for boots
N       Comfortable footwear for around camp (sneakers, sandals, thongs, etc.; rubber sandals are good for bathing in stream)
N       Something to sleep in
N       One set of "decent" clothes for Cayenne
N       Belt to carry clippers
O       Bandanas
N       Bathing suit &/or shorts (& top for women) for bathing in the stream
N       Tupperware box for carrying lunch into field
O       Folding chair (we have a few there)

Photographic equipment:
O       Camera, lenses
O       Flash
O       Extra batteries for camera and flash
O       Film (high speed if you want to shoot hand held shots in the forest without flash)
O       Plastic containers (e.g. Tupperware) for camera equipment and film
O       Silica gel packets to protect camera from moisture
O       Tripod or minipod
O       Photo clips ("snakes")
O       Lens tissue or chamois cloth
O       Foil reflectors
O       Black cloth for backgrounds of flowers
O       Equipment instruction booklets if necessary
O       Copies of receipts for equipment if it looks new (for customs)